Son of landless farmer in Jodhpur district cracks AIPMT

KOTA: A nondescript village Beelwa in the interiors of Jodhpur district is celebrating the success of Shiv Prakash, who has attained 461 all India rank in All India Pre-Medical Test, announced recently. Born in a landless agricultural family where his father earns enough to meet two meals a day, Prakash is the first from his entire area to have cleared medical entrance exam.
His father Mangi Lal is Class 9 pass and mom is illiterate. “My father can farm during rainy season only. Rest of the year, he drives a vehicle without taking any leave, which fetches him Rs 10,000 which goes for our food, healthcare and education,” said Prakash, who has three brothers and one sister. He and his brothers also do menial jobs during vacations to support his family.
Prakash completed his Class X and XII from a government senior secondary school in his village. Unaware of any entrance exam like AIPMT until he was in Class XII, Prakash’s life changed while travelling with his co passenger, who told him to appear for medical entrance exam.
He shared his intention with his father who asked him to find out the expenses of studying in Kota. “I was shocked to know the living expenses and fees of a coaching institute which was way ahead of my family’s reach,” recalled Prakash. For days, he didn’t inform his father about the expenses and have thought of doing graduation in BSC.
“One day my father insisted me to tell him about the expenses which were Rs 2 lakh for a year. In next few days he got the sum of Rs 2 lakh loan from local moneylender on high interest rate which we are still repaying,” said Prakash, who moved to coaching hub Kota in 2013. After accessing his academic credentials and family background, the coaching institute waived off 75% of his fees.
“In my first attempt I got 10,288 rank. It disappointed me but I again appeared and managed to stand at 9,120. My tutors asked me to re-appear in the exam and this time got 461 AIR and 23 state rank in OBC category,” said Prakash, busy preparing for his counselling.
His rank ensures him to take admission in various top notch medical colleges across the country. And his state rank guarantees him admission in SMS medical college in Jaipur.
“I will go for my MBBS from a place which is nearer from my hometown. I will prefer to work part time to bear the expenses of living in a big city. I was told that I may require between Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000. I hope I will earn this much,” said a confident Prakash. His biggest worry is now to relay the loans his father took for his education.